Which term is the author’s main idea or argument?

• A. Cite sources
• B. Setting
• C. Scene
• D. Claim

Answer: (D)

The main idea or argument in a text is the central point the author is trying to prove or persuade you to accept. The term that names that central point is the claim. A claim is a statement the author asserts as true and then supports with evidence and reasoning throughout the piece. The other concepts describe how the text is built or where events happen, not the main point: citing sources is about giving evidence and attribution, while setting and scene refer to where and when things occur in a narrative. For example, if an essay argues that regular exercise improves mental health, the main claim is that exercise positively affects mental health, and the surrounding evidence from studies supports that claim.